I started windsurfing 9 months ago, and have windsurfed over 15 times in this period.

I have a Starboard Rio M and a Severne Focus 6.0 sail. In light winds I cannot get into plane do to the smaller size of the sail. Due to this I want to buy a larger sail in the 7.0 o 7.5 range.

I weigh 78kgs (172 pounds). I can tack well and am learning to gybe and get in the foot straps. I will try out my new harness this weekend with the 6.0.

My friendly dealer has recomended a Severne Element 7.5 which has 2 cams or the NCX which has no cams.

In advance thanks.:cool:

mim

10th March 2009 04:46 AM

Hi,

I need some extra info...at what windspeed, are you not able to plane any more (I'm a different weigth class - 6sqm is for me up to 25 knots).

But I can tell you this...

NCX (I have 7.0) is not bad, when fully powered it is stable and fast enough, when it gets really overpowered it is like a wild mustang (a lot of pressure on the back hand), manouvers are easy, not so simple to rigg, but still it is a no-cam sail.

Element (in my case 8.5)...very nice sail, good in low-end...I get planning with it and my 100kg in something like 11+ knots. It comfotable, stable even in high winds altough it is not a race sail...when it gets really overpowered it is not that nice anymore. Jiing and tacking is not a problem, cambers are only two...rigging is a bit more complicated but still easy compared to a full racing sails. On the water it gives me a very nice feeling.

In both of them mast plays a significant role, I used it at the beginning with a low carbon content mast (<35%) and it was not perfect in oth of them...but element wasa little less sensitive to the mast...at least due to my opinion.

I would go for elemet (early plannig, lots of low-end power)...NCX is too technical for beginers I think (but it works even when overpowered).

The other option would be a Gator (I haven't tried any by myself, but it is supposed to be a freemove sail...it means lot of low-end power, earli planninh, and easy handling)...about the size...I gues 7.5 would be ok, but I am not sure since I am different weight class :).

Have fun, whatever you pick...
Ciao Michal.

wiindz

10th March 2009 05:08 AM

how much wind you looking to get planning in?? at 72kg im planning around 13-15knts with my 6.6, id say a 7.0, especialy for a begginer should do the trick but learn how to use your harness first, it will quickly become your best friend, especialy if your buying a bigger sail!!

Roger

10th March 2009 06:24 AM

Hi coolny29,
What mast do you use in your Severne Focus 6.0 m2 rig.
It would seem to me that you perhaps are not getting enough windspeed to get the Rio M (what year is your board as there is quite a difference between the earlier Start M based Rio and the newer '08/'09 Rio M which is a great board, but not like the Start or GO) going.
I would think at you weight, with about 13-15 knots of wind you would be planing fairly easily with the Focus 6.0 on the 08/09 Rio M with the CB retracted.
Moving up to a 7.5 is a very good way to bring your planing threshold down by about 3-4 knots.
Are you moving back on your board so it can plane freely?
Are you trying to plane with the center board down/deployed?
I really like the 7.5 NCX (I had a 2008 NCX 7.5, and it was easy to rig, very powerful,
and really easy to handle rigged on a 100% Redline 460 mast) , but I'm sure the Element 7.5 would work equally as well.
Also, as wiindz has asked, are you using a harness yet, and are you back to the footstraps.
Perhaps you aren't getting far enough back on the board to really free it up so it can
plane.
Hope this helps,

coolny29

10th March 2009 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger
(Post 30291)

Hi coolny29,
What mast do you use in your Severne Focus 6.0 m2 rig.
It would seem to me that you perhaps are not getting enough windspeed to get the Rio M (what year is your board as there is quite a difference between the earlier Start M based Rio and the newer '08/'09 Rio M which is a great board, but not like the Start or GO) going.
I would think at you weight, with about 13-15 knots of wind you would be planing fairly easily with the Focus 6.0 on the 08/09 Rio M with the CB retracted.
Moving up to a 7.5 is a very good way to bring your planing threshold down by about 3-4 knots.
Are you moving back on your board so it can plane freely?
Are you trying to plane with the center board down/deployed?
I really like the 7.5 NCX (I had a 2008 NCX 7.5, and it was easy to rig, very powerful,
and really easy to handle rigged on a 100% Redline 460 mast) , but I'm sure the Element 7.5 would work equally as well.
Also, as wiindz has asked, are you using a harness yet, and are you back to the footstraps.
Perhaps you aren't getting far enough back on the board to really free it up so it can
plane.
Hope this helps,

Your right I get to plane on days with 15 knot wind, easily. On days with less wind 10-12knots I cannot plane. I have a Rio M 2008 and a Neil Pryde 30% Carbon Content mast. I try to move back to get it to plane, but on low day winds I canīt plane. I Windsurf in lakes which have 10 to 16 knot winds in the afternoon. As I said I am just staring out, but want a sail for the lower wind days. I will start using my harness staring this weekend.

Thanks

Roger

10th March 2009 08:30 AM

Hi again coolny29,
OK, sounds good.
Using your harness may help a bit, with early planing, but with the wind speeds you suggest, a 7.5 m2 rig is going to get you far more planing time.
Don't move back too far, or too fast.
Remember, it's a "progression".As your speed builds, you can sheet in a little more (better to keep the sail a bit more "open" at your skill level as it will have better power.
Sheeted in heavily is good for the highest speeds, by you probably aren't quite there yet so remember the old adage "When in doubt, let it out".
I think the 7.5 NCX would be an excellent addition to your quiver.
Go for it!

coolny29

10th March 2009 10:56 PM

So based on this you would recomend the NCX instead of the Element? I was told the Element should be better for me since it has a softer feel and is more forgiving.

mim

11th March 2009 12:36 AM

I am for the element...
Ciao M.

PS: But it is a camber sail, harder to waterstart, harder to uphaul...

Roger

11th March 2009 09:40 AM

Hi coolny29 and mim,
I cannot give you a direct comparison as I've never personally sailed an Element, but I know that the NCX is a really sweet sail.
I would have said the NCX has a softer feel and could be more forgivig, but I can't make that comparison.
Mim likes the Element for about the same reasons it seems.
The cambers may or may not make the Element more difficult to waterstart or uphaul.
There are +'s and -'s on either side of these issues in the camber vs no-cam debate.
I like no cams for entry level sailors because the normally are simpler, and a little easier to rig correctly, and there are no cambers to break or malfunction.
Hope this helps,

mim

12th March 2009 02:15 AM

Hi again,

well to say also something for NCX...It was my first sail, I did not use a higher carbon content (15%) and the condition are not always perfect here.

After I did the experience with element I have to say I like it more the NCX, but I do not mean NCX is not good. Have to repeat again, for comfort (not top speed) and ease of use and/or learning I would try Gator.

Personally, I did not try it yet...but I plan to buy some mid size Gator for low wind waves (6.5 or 7.0)...big I know, but I am not small either.